Planooraph co



1. H, MILLS. SELF COMPENSATING COT.

"i IL". IllIILlIli" 1min" .Il |1111 1| Us N APPLICATION FILED OCT. l0. 19H3.

Patented July 1, 1919.

2 sHEEs-SHEET 1.

Willa/momo Ulllll 5. H. MILLS. y SELF COMPENSATING COT.

APPLICATION Flu-:D oc. 1o. 191s.

l ,308, l 87. l Patented July l, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6 Ulli l' I .1." @VH1/moan TMB oLuMBlA PLANOGIAPI! C0., WASHINUTON. D. c.

Josnrii H. MILLS, or aicHMoNn, INDIANA.

SELF-COMPENSATING COT y Appiicationmeaocaher1o,191s. seriaiivaasasrr.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, Josiirii H. lunas,` a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State ofIndiana, haveinvented anew and useful construction which l` deIlQIlIiate asa Self-Compensating Got, of which` the following is a full, clear, and accuratespeciiication and exposition, the same being such as will enable others to appreciate and construct the same with exactitude. l

The object yof my present invention, broadly speaking,`is to provide a self-compensating cot construction which will be strong and durable` in practice, light in weight, comfortable in use, easily packed .into a small compass of space for transportation or storage, and which can `beniamifactured at a comparatively low price.

More specifically stated, my object isfto `provide a selfcompensating cot `construction which comprises a `spring frame, inwhich the central element or body is formed preferably of fabric, such for'instance as can` vas, or other flexible material, ywhich is stretched in the frame and carried thereby, and having particularly novel means whereby the fabric will .not become :baggy or iabby after being used, but will retain its tension under `excessive Weight superim-` posed thereombut at the saine time will ad-` just itself to ones body whereby itwill be comfortable to lie upon but will immediately retrieve itself and rebound to its norf mal taut position when the weight is removed therefrom. u. n

Other minor and specific objects and. advantages of the invention will suggest themselves in the course of thefollowing description, and that which is new and useful will beY correlated in the appendedclaims form? ing a part of the specification.`

The preferred means for the construction and the assembly of my invention in a practical and mechanical manner is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-Fligure l is a side elevation of the complete oonstruction as it would appear ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a detail cross section, as taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a detail cross section, as taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a detail bottom plan of speeiacation of Letters` raient.

Patented Ju1y;1,191.

`one corner` portion of the cot, with .the leg of that cornerremoved, and astaken, for instance, on theline y4---4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5

is 1a bottom plan of one ycorner portion,

partly in section as `taken on the `line-m of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the invention. Fig. 7 is a cross section, as taken on the line -fof Fig. l. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe upper portion of one of thelegs, And Fig. 9is a detail cross section of a inodiiied` form for theconstruction fof the side rails.` .n v

Similar indices denote like parts throughout the severalviews. y 3 In order `that the construction, the operation, and the advantagesofthe invention may be more `fully understood and appreciated, I will now take up a detaildescription thereof, in which I will set forth the several features thereof as fully and as comprehensively as I may. y i Referring now tothe drawings in detail: The invention comprises a frameformed by siderails and end rails, with the central element `or fabri'cstretched between said' terms are arbitrary, for in practice it will make no difference which end of the cot is employed as the head or the foot. i

The. `right-hand side rail is composed of the `lower rail member `land the upper rail cated "the strip 4. The members 1 and 2 are adapted'to be secured together by a plurality ofscrews 5,`or otherwise, insuch manner as toform the equivalent of a solid or integral membered rail having a closed channel v therein, with lthe strip 4 slidable in.` said channel. The under face of the member E?, from the channel centerwarifl, is cutslghtly away to provide a very narrow mouth, as indicated at 6 in Fig. 7.

member 2. Formed inthe lower or contact face of the member 2 istalchannel, which extends longitudinally tliroughoutthe length thereof, and in the channel 3 is slidably lo- Identical with the above is the lefthand side rail, which is composed of the lower rail member 10 and the upper rail member 12. Formed in the lower or contact face of the member 12 is a channel 13 which extends longitudinally thereof throughout the entire length of the member 12, and in the channel 13 slidably located the strip 14. The members 10 and 12 are adapted to be secured together by va plurality of screws 15, or other means, such as to form the equivalent of a solid or integral membered rail having a closed channel therein with the strip 14 slidable in said channel. The under face of the member 12, from the channel 13 centerward, is cut away slightly to provide 'a very narrow mouth, as indicated at 16 in Fig. 7.

The head rail comprises an outer or cap member 7 having a tongue 7a on each end thereof which tongues are adapted to fit in mortises in the endsf'of the side rails, said mortises being formed by notches cut equally in the upper and the lower members of the side rails, as indicated in Fig. 1. The head rail also includes the removable stretcher bar 8, with one edge thereof adapted to contact with the member 7 to which it maybe detachably. secured by a plurality of screws 9. The ends of the bar 8 are adapted to fit in notches formed in the linner edges of the head-end portions of the members 1 and 10, whereby the ends of the bar 8 will contact with the members 2 and 12, with the outer- Y most edge in contact with the member' 7, as shown in Fig. 4.

The .lower portion of the innermost edges of said notchesl for the member 8 are beveled, as at 17 in Fig. 2, but still providing a small shoulder 18 at theV base of said bevels, alse as shown in Fig. 2. Y

The said bevels are provided for the purpose of facilitating the insertion and the removal of the bar S, as will 'hereinafter be eX- plain'ed. The bar S is located even at its lower edge with the member 7, but is substantially only onehalf of the height thereof.

The foot rail comprises an outer or cap member 19 having a tongue 19"L on each end thereof, which tongues are adapted to lit in mortises formed in the ends of the side rails, said mortises beingv formed by notches cut equally in the upper and the lower members of the side rails, vas indicated in Fig. 6. The foot rail also includes the stationary bar 20, with one edge thereof adapted to contact with the member 19, to which it is secured by a Vplurality of screws 21, and it extends between the members 1 and 10 with its ends notched into the members 1 and 10.v The bar 20v islocated iushat its lower edge with the member 19 butpit is substantially only onehalf the height thereof, substantially as shown.

The central .element or body consists of stretched tightly therebetween. The foot end of the canvas is rigidly secured between the member 19 and the bar 20, while the head end of the canvas is secured to the bar 8. and it is wrapped therearound, aud the bar Y 8 is adapted to be turned in order to stretch the canvas, when desired, to the desired tension.

Supports or legs 24, 25, 26 and 27, are provided, one for each corner of said construction, each being adapt-ed to be detaehably secured by a plurality of screws 2S which extend upward through apertures 29 in the rims 30 of the legs into apertures 31 of the rail members 1 and 10, as indicated in the drawings.

Assembly.

The canvas material is irst secured at its edges to the strips 4 and 14, as shown, after which said strips are placed in their respective channels 3 and 13. The members 1 and 1() are the-n secured to the respective members 2 and 12, after which the members 7 and 19 are placed in position which will space the sidefrails in such manner that the canvas will Vbe stretched tight. The foot portion of the canvas is then placed in position and the bar 20 is then brought to place to secure the canvas between the bar 20 and the member 19, the bar 20 being then permanently secured in place as shown.

Finally the head end portion ef the cauvas is secured to the bar 8 after which said bar 8 is turned until all of the slack in the canvas is taken up, after which the bar 8 is forceddown toward the member 7 until it contacts therewith, the ends of the bar 8 sliding on the bevel edges 17 until finally the bar 8 comes into position, as in Fig. 2, in contact with the shoulders 18. the bar 8 is secured to the member 7 by a plurality of screws 9. On account of the beveled faces 17 it is evident that the operation of inserting or removing the bar 8 under tension will be greatly facilitated.

In the event that the canvas should become slack, through long usage, it is evident that one may loosen the screws 9, after which the bar S may be turned to take up the slack, and then when the bar S is replaced as before the canvas will have its original tightness.

It should be observed that the strips 4 and After the above 14 are-not as long as arethe channels 3 and 13 in whichtheyare located, thereby permittingthem to move endwise under strain, in fact said strips land 14 may each 'be formed of a plurality of separate lengths, but I have found from tests which havebeen made that single length strips willpermit the required self compensation. y

As the weight is applied'to thecanvas, after being secured asstated, it is foundthat the weight will be equally distributed so that every thread of the material throughout" the whole extent thereof will be caused to carry its proportion of the load, thereby accomplishing at least three very desirable desults: permitting a given grade of canvas to carry a much greater load without damage thereto; causing the canvas after being subjected to a load to instantly retrieve or regain its former shape and tautness without wrinkles or bagginess; and providing a cot which will give the highest degree of comfort to the user. And an alternative result is, that a poorer grade of canvas may be employed, which wouldy be equal to a better grade of canvas when used in the ordinary construction of cots. i

When considerable weight is placed on the cot it is evident that the side rails, which are resilient, may spring or bowl slightly toward each other and downward, which manifestly will act in the nature of springs, thereby adding to the comfort of the person lying on the cot, but said rails will immediately regain their normal shape when the weight is removed.

Also, it should be observed, that as the legs are well braced, as shown, and are rigid with the frame of the cot, their lower ends may spread slightly apart when 'weight is applied to the cot. i

From the above it will be evident that the sliding means for the side edges of the fabric, the resiliency of the side-bars,` and the rigidity of the legs, will form a combination which will contribute to the eiiiciency of the cot as an entirety.

It is to be understoodthat the end rails may be identical with each other in construction, that is the fabric may be permanently or adj ustably secured at each end, if so desired, without affecting the principles of this invention.. Also the side rails may each be of a single member, in place of two-part member, with the channels formed therethrough.

As shown in Fig. 9 the channel 3 may be formed in the rail 1, with the fabric 22 secured to the strip 4 therein, from which the fabric extends outward between the members 1 and 2, and then over the member 2, the inner upper edge of the member 2i being rounded, as at 9:, in order to eliminate the sharpcorner for the fabric to `bend over, otherwise the modification `willbe the same as that firstdescribed.

Idesire that itbe understood that various changes "may "be made in the several" details ofconstruction, from that herein shown and described,` without departing from the spirit of my invention andI without sacrificing any `ofthe advantages thereof.

,y Having now fully shown and described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is- Y 1. A self compensating cot construction, comprising in combination, a pair of twopart siderails each having a channel therein extending longitudinally thereof with a `mouth opening from said channels through the inner edges of the rails, a strip located slidably in each of said channels, a fabric element having its longer edges secured to the respective strips and passing loosely through said mouths without frictonal contact with the members of the rails, and rails spacing said side rails apart and retaining the fabric element tight therebetween, means for permanently securing one end of the y fabric to one of said end rails, and means for adjustably securing the other end of said fabric.

2. A self compensating cot construction comprising, a frame composed of two siderails and end rails interlocked and rigidly connected with the ends of the side rails, a fabric element stretched between said rails, each side rail being composed of an upper and a lower portion secured together with a channel formed between the two portions extending longitudinally thereof, a strip located in each of said channels and slidable endwise therein and being of less length than the channel in which it is located, means for securing the side edges of the fabric element to said strip after passing through the mouths formed through the opposing inner faces of the side rails, means for securing one end of the fabric to one of the end rails, a removable bar located near the other end rail and to which the other end of the fabric element is secured, and means for removably securing said bar in position after it has `been turned to obtain proper tension of the the side rails at one end and to which one In testimony whereof I have hereunto 10 end of the fabric is permanently secured, an subscribed my name to this lspecification in end rail connecting the other ends of the the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

side rail, a removable bar to which the other end 0f the fabric is secured and upon which JOSEPH H. MILLS.

the fabric is Wound to secure endwise ten.

sion thereof, and means for loclu'ng said bar Witnesses:

to retain the endwise tension of the fabric, Ro'r. W. RANDLE,

all substantially as shown and descri'bed. Y R. E. RANDLE.

Copies of 'this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

